In the digital age, our smartphones often become cluttered with apps that we seldom use, leading to a less efficient user experience. Fortunately, there are effective methods to declutter your device without resorting to a factory reset. For Android users, archiving apps is a practical solution that can help manage storage while keeping your favorite applications accessible.
How to archive apps on your Android phone
Archiving apps on an Android device can be accomplished in two ways: automatically through the Google Play Store or manually via the Settings menu. For those with numerous apps gathering digital dust, the automatic method is recommended for its convenience. This approach not only saves time but also helps manage storage effectively as your device approaches its limits. To enable automatic app archiving, follow these steps:
- Launch the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon located in the upper right corner.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Expand the General tab.
- Toggle on the option for Automatically archive apps.
Once activated, the Play Store will begin archiving infrequently used apps when your phone’s storage is running low. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, manual archiving is also an option. To manually archive apps, proceed with the following steps:
- Open your Settings app.
- Select Apps.
- Choose the app you wish to archive.
- Tap Archive at the bottom of the screen.
After archiving, the app’s settings page will appear grayed out, indicating that it is no longer active. In your app drawer, the archived app will be dimmed and marked with an arrow icon, signifying its archived status.
How to restore archived apps on Android
When the time comes to restore an archived app, the process is straightforward. You can either access it from the app drawer or through the Settings menu. To restore from the app drawer, simply locate the archived app and tap on it. Alternatively, you can navigate to Settings > Apps > [archived app] and select Restore at the bottom. The Play Store will then re-download the app, so ensure that you have an active internet connection. The restoration process is typically swift, but if your device is low on storage, you may need to delete some files or apps to accommodate the reinstallation.
If you wish to prevent specific apps from being automatically archived, you can easily opt out of this feature. To do so, follow these steps:
- In Settings, tap on Apps.
- Select the app you want to exclude from automatic archiving.
- Toggle off the option for Manage app if unused.
By taking these steps, even if you don’t frequently use the app, it will remain in your app drawer, readily available whenever you need it.
